Ubi-bike
In this paper we will be assessing the Peloton fitness bike and its digital fitness platform from an objective perspective. By doing this we will be able to identify what specifically makes them a product that utilizes ubicomp technology, and also how that benefits not only them, but the consumer as well. In order to do this I will begin with a brief summary of the company’s history, then transition into how they operate as a fantastic example of a ubiquitous computing company, and then finish with areas where they can improve their product.
The vision began in 2012 by a host of founders, the vision of delivering studio quality cycling classes into the homes of consumers. This was a concept that was entirely new to the world. That was made extremely apparent when they launched their first product in 2014, cementing themselves into this new market. They were the first company to blend the actual hardware of the exercise bike and digital content. The success was apparent, expanding to different product lines and mastering their online platform. From this point on, it was smooth sailing to their IPO in 2019. Their IPO was a massive milestone for the company, confirming them as disruptors in the tech/fitness industry. Just as things were looking fantastic for the young mammoth of a company, Covid-19 struck the economy from all sides. Unlike many companies who were paralyzed by the pandemic, Peloton reaped many benefits. Sales skyrocketed, user body multiplied, and they quickly became a household name. Just as quickly as they worked on expanding their content, they expanded their market turning them into an international giant.
Considering the extremely successful uprising of the Peloton, one would have to assume they are offering the market a quality technology that is impactful. In this section of the paper we’re going to be identifying how Peloton utilizes ubicomp to enhance their product. The first topic to be discussed is the Pelotons invisibility. Instead of a traditional exercise bike that looks like it belongs in Gold’s Gym, the Peloton was designed to fit in a residential setting. Resembling a sleek piece of art opposed to a sweaty, beaten hunk of metal parts. The sensors and touchscreen display are integrated seamlessly into the design, making the product very unobstructive for the consumer. Moving to accessibility, the bike offers a wide variety of classes ranging in difficulty. It provides plenty of modifications depending on how experienced the user is. This allows for almost anyone to use the device, regardless of their physical fitness levels and abilities.
Transitioning from accessibility, adaptability goes hand in hand. Coded into the software of the bike is its dynamic resistance. Based on what the user is looking to achieve and what digital course they’re using, the bike adapts to different resistance levels. This is a very large part of utilizing Ubicomp technology. The device can not only interpret its surroundings, but react to them. In addition to this, it can provide users with encouragement when they are falling behind certain intervals, and even give them real-time feedback based on their performance. It does this by analyzing the data the user puts into the system (by riding the bike), analyzing it, and then producing a solution based on the original information. A great topic to move to here is the device’s context awareness. As a result of the software integrated into the bike, it is fully aware of the users fitness level, their workout history, and their preferences. As a result of this, the software is able to recommend entirely personalized workouts and classes, custom tailored to the consumer.
Moving forward to connectivity, users have access to live classes. This is a result of the internet connection that the bike has, also allowing it to sync with other devices. This connectivity plays a massive role in allowing other health-centric devices to be compatible with the product, such as heart rate monitors and other fitness trackers. By allowing these other devices to sync with the main Peloton platform, users can share their performance and other fitness statistics with other users, completely through the connectivity of the device. This transitions us the the products interoperability. Similar to the various external devices the Peloton can connect to, there is also the availability for the bike to connect to other Peloton products. This includes the Peloton app that provides users with a massive archive of classes varying in range, and other devices such as the Peloton Tread — a device similar to the bike that resembles a treadmill. By offering this feature, the consumer can be fully immersed in the connected ecosystem of Peloton products.
While all of these aspects of the product allow it to be fully synchronized with the consumer’s life, there are a few areas where they can be improved. The first example that comes to mind is accessibility. The product does a fantastic job of allowing people of all fitness abilities to engage with it, there is still the initial barrier to entry. This product comes with a steep price tag, and also requires internet access for full usability. If Peloton was to really make the product as accessible as possible, they would offer the product at a lower price tag, negating the barrier to entry. In terms of connectivity, they have plenty of opportunities to connect with current products. While this is fantastic, there is always the goal of being able to connect to any device, Phone, Watch, Glasses, etc. With all of this in mind, Peloton has done a fantastic job of not only designing a great product, but also allowing consumers to fully integrate their product in their lifestyle.
